EMI MARTINEZ is playing through the pain barrier after breaking his finger just before the World Cup.
The Argentina goalkeeper, 33, did the damage during the Europa League final warm-up on May 20 before Aston Villa beat Freiburg in Istanbul.
Emi Martinez has been playing at the World Cup with a broken finger Credit: Getty
He suffered the injury in the warm-up before the Europa League final Credit: Getty
The injury threatened to derail his World Cup.
But Martinez ignored advice to have an operation, battling through to play all seven matches in North America – even though he did not join in full training until after the last 16.
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Previewing the MetLife final, the stopper said: “It still hurts. I knew that my hand was going to be hurting.
“I tried to avoid going through surgery. I consulted a great deal of hand specialists in England, the USA and other countries.
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“Of course, after winning a final with a broken finger, you’re told you have to undergo surgery and that you’ll be missed for the entire group stage of a World Cup.
“At the beginning, I couldn’t even train with the Argentina team.
“So many questions come to mind. I had a different preparation from my team-mates.
“Two days before the first match, I wasn’t feeling good.
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“After Egypt, I was joining the training sessions normally, I stopped thinking about that and now I feel so much better.”
Martinez will be feeling so much better if he helps Argentina win a second straight World Cup.
He was a superstar in Qatar, especially with his 123rd-minute save to deny Randal Kolo Muani and final shootout stop from Kingsley Coman.
But despite his wind-up tactics and eccentricity, Martinez insists he is very happy to let others take the glory.
He added: “I’ve never wanted to be the protagonist.
“Truth be told, having the trophy for the best player is really not important for me.
“I don’t want to be making the headlines.
“My coach sent me a message, ‘I don’t mind about your condition, you will be in my team.’ That is more important for me than saving a penalty and making the headlines.
Martinez won the Golden Glove at the 2022 World Cup Credit: Reuters
He made a crucial save to deny Randal Kolo Muani at the end of extra-time Credit: Getty
“I want my team-mates to be the stars. Goalkeepers are the only ones who don’t score goals and don’t celebrate.
“Pressure doesn’t weigh me down, whether I’m playing in my home Mar del Plata neighbourhood or in a final.
“I’m going to jump on the pitch with a smile.”
The World Cup final against Spain could see Martinez win five finals in five years with Argentina.
In 2018, he went to Russia as a fan.
In 2006, aged 13, it ended in tears in the quarter-finals.
Martinez reflected: “I cried when Jens Lehmann saved our penalties.
“I’ve always been a national team fan and always dreamt of reaching the national team.
“I am enjoying this World Cup much more than Qatar. I suffered a lot after Saudi Arabia scored twice to win. I made one save against Mexico, same with Austria.
“When Poland shot on target, it was in. Australia and the Netherlands shot twice and scored once.
“People said I had a more decisive role. Why? Maybe just because of the penalties.”
Few would bet against more Martinez heroics and headlines if he is called upon tonight.
